General

Overview of the Poorest Countries in the world


17, December 2025

The globe has enough wealth and resources to ensure that the entire human race can live comfortably. Yet individuals in Burundi, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic continue to live in terrible poverty.

So, how do we identify which are the poorest countries in the world? While GDP per capita is commonly regarded as the standard statistic, utilizing purchasing power parity, or PPP, to account for differences in living costs and inflation rates allows for a better understanding of an individual's buying power in any given country.

Now, here's where things get interesting. GDP per capita does not always tell the whole story. This is because the cost of living and inflation rates differ greatly between countries. That is where PPP enters to provide a fair comparison. PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) takes into account local expenses and inflation rates to provide a more accurate picture of different countries' standards of living.

Some countries' GDPs may have been artificially increased as a result of their tax haven status. GDP per capita PPP is a useful method for identifying the world's poorest countries.

Folks, Let us know the world's poorest countries by GDP per capita PPP

These are the poorest countries in the world in 2024 based on GDP per capita. PPP as estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as of February 21, 2024.

Country

GDP Per Capita

South Sudan

$492.72

Burundi

$936.42

Central African Republic (CAR)

$1,140.00

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

$1,570.00

Mozambique

$1,650.00

Malawi

$1,710.00

Niger

$1,730.00

Chad

$1,860.00

Liberia

$1,880.00

Madagascar

$1,990.00

Now that we know the per capita income of these corporations let's look at why these bottom 10 economies are considered the poorest in the world.

South Sudan

South Sudan, the world's youngest country, obtained independence in 2011 but now faces enormous economic issues. Political instability, recurrent conflicts, and poor infrastructure hamper its progress. With the majority dependent on traditional agriculture, warfare and extreme weather occurrences frequently disrupt crops, prolonging poverty in this landlocked country of over 11 million people.

GDP: $25.83 billion.

Population: 11,205,383.

Burundi

Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, is facing enormous challenges to its economy, including political instability, conflicts, and inadequate infrastructural development. Rapid population expansion worsens the nation's economic challenges and the sufferings that its citizens experience. Food insecurity is particularly significant in comparison to other Sub-Saharan African countries, with nearly 80% of the population depend on subsistence agriculture.

GDP: $3.06 billion.

Population: 13,459,236.

Central African Republic (CAR )

The Central African Republic (CAR), located in Central Africa, has significant economic issues as a result of political instability, armed conflict, and inadequate infrastructure. The country's abundance in gold, oil, uranium, and diamonds contrasts sharply with pervasive poverty among its population. The combination of price hikes for critical items caused by the war in Ukraine, as well as severe floods and drought cycles, have worsened the CAR's economic problems.

GDP: $3 billion.

Population: 5,849,358.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Considering its abundance of natural riches such as cobalt and copper, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, is Sub-Saharan Africa's largest country. The majority of the population lives in poverty, with over 62 percent of Congolese living on less than $2.15 per day. Malnutrition, inadequate access to education and healthcare, and high fertility rates all compound the country's poverty and development challenges.

GDP of $15.42 billion

Population is 104,354,615.

Mozambique

Mozambique, a little-populated former Portuguese territory with plenty of resources, has become impoverished due to natural disasters, sickness, rapid population increase, low agricultural productivity, and income disparity. Despite its abundant resources and solid GDP development, the Mozambique remains one of the poorest country in the world, a situation compounded by attacks by Islamic insurgency groups in the gas-rich north.

GDP: $23.96 billion.

Population: 34,497,736.

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Malawi

Despite its beautiful environments, Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, faces serious economic issues. The country is primarily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, providing its vulnerable to climate change and fluctuating commodity prices. Nonetheless, the government is still committed to encouraging economic diversification, increasing education and healthcare, and eliminating poverty.

GDP: $11.04 billion.

Population: 21,390,465. 5

Niger

Niger, a landlocked West African country, suffers from economic issues and high poverty rates due to limited natural resources, frequent droughts, and a primarily agricultural economy. With the Sahara Desert covering 80 percent of its territory and an increasing population relying on small-scale agriculture, desertification poses a serious concern.

GDP: $19.54 billion.

Population: 27,844,740.

Chad

Chad, located in Africa, suffers enormous economic issues and high poverty rates despite having large oil reserves. The country depends significantly on rain-fed agriculture, making it vulnerable to weather-related disasters and widespread food poverty. Human rights violations and crackdowns on political opposition and protest have been reported, raising questions about democratic values.

GDP: $13.19 billion.

Population: 18,633,140.

Liberia

Liberia's ongoing destitution is the result of violent conflicts such as civil wars and outbreaks like Ebola, leading to unstable infrastructure and limited services. Forced migration damages agriculture, increasing food insecurity. International organizations such as the World Food Programme work to reduce poverty and improve the country's future by promoting sustainable development and investing in education and healthcare.

GDP: $4.59 billion.

Population: 5,492,486.

Madagascar’s

Madagascar is an island nation located on Africa's southeastern coast. After gaining independence from France in 1960, it has seen numerous political crises and military coups. In 2014, the present constitution and relative political stability were established. Although the country has abundant political resources, internal instability, external influence, and insufficient utilization of these resources exist. The country's GDP is primarily generated by mining and tourism.

GDP: $16.77 billion.

Population: 25.6 million.

Extreme poverty is a multifaceted issue that does not affect just one country. Millions suffer from hunger, a lack of education, and limited prospects. While progress is being achieved, global cooperation is essential for promoting sustainable development and a better future for all. Let's work together to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

If you want to have a good impact, consider Donating to Sudan, which supports initiatives that address crucial challenges and improve the well-being of Sudanese communities.

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